An Inverness charity has been thrown an economic lifeline after the trebling of energy bills left it struggling.
The Oxygen Works in Inverness has recently seen gas and electricity costs soar from around £285 a month to £900.
It was facing the stark choice of asking hard-pressed clients to pay more or reducing the vital services it provides.
But a group of local companies has come together and solved the problem. They are paying for a new £25,000 solar energy system at the charity’s centre in Burnett Road.
Business as usual
The donation will cut the charity’s costs by more than half while reducing its carbon footprint.
It means it can continue to provide subsidised services to a growing number of users.
CEO Leigh-Ann Little says the “staggering” gesture of kindness by AES Solar, Edmunson Electrical Elgin, ANM Electrical and Ark Estates comes at a challenging time for the sector.
The rising energy bills have increased the £265,000 a year it costs to run the centre.
Many of its fundraising events were cancelled during Covid. A devastating flood in 2021 also forced it to close for more than nine months.
It had to sell a minibus used to transport clients to and from treatment due to cash constraints.
The installation of a solar power system will reduce the charity’s electricity consumption by at least 53%.
Each year it will save two tons of CO2 and over its lifetime will avoid the equivalent of 32,824 car miles or 38 long haul flights.
TOW CEO Leigh-Ann Little said the donation is a “landmark moment” for the charity.
“It is a huge gesture of goodwill from these individuals and companies.
“We had to face up to the reality that without the support of the installation of solar energy we would have to look at ways to cost save.
‘We cannot pass on increased costs to clients’
“While some would argue that we could justify an increase in our suggested contributions, unlike other commercial entities we cannot simply pass on this increased cost to our clients.”
Cost-saving measures considered included reducing operating hours, or running fewer services or sessions.
“All of which would have a colossal and detrimental impact on our community and the clients we serve.
“This would see us shrinking services at a time when reliance on our services are increasing, meaning that we would not only limit the support we can provide to existing clients, we would be unable to take on new clients looking to access services for the first time.”
Jamie Di Sotto is commercial director at AES Solar.
He said: “From my point of view the work they do here is really inspiring. We wanted to provide something that is going to give them a benefit for decades to come.”
Alan Angus, sales manager, Edmundson Electrical Elgin, said: “We were more than happy to help out.
“We can’t do this all the time, but this is a great place to support. It’s fantastic what they do and how many people they help.”
Andrew MacKay, managing director, ANM Electrical, added: “One of our employees benefits from coming to The Oxygen Works so I’ve seen first hand the benefits it delivers.”
A cocktail of increased costs
The Oxygen Works, which marked its 30th anniversary last year, provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as physical wellbeing, massage and reflexology treatments.
While it costs a minimum of £60 a session to use the oxygen chamber, members are asked for a donation of about £15.
Leigh-Ann said energy costs are just one part of a “cocktail” of increased operating costs, including rising salaries and volunteering costs as well as providing food and drink on site.
“We pride ourselves on delivering accessible services to clients at a heavily subsidised rate.
“In recent months we have had more clients presenting who are unable to meet the minimum contribution for their therapies.
“As a result, we are seeing less consistency in our donations for the services we provide alongside a downturn in public donations generally.”
She said the centre’s core operational hours are peak energy usage times, so it cannot reduce costs by using electricity at cheaper times of the day.
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